Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1
Published on: July 11, 2017
Deployable vortex generators for low Reynolds numbers applications powered by cephalopods inspired artificial muscles
Rabiu Mamman1, Parth Kotak1, Thilina Weerakkody1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Abstract:
This paper proposes deployable vortex generators (VGs) powered by twisted spiral artificial muscles (TSAMs). TSAMs take inspiration from cephalopods' papillae and can protrude out of plane upon electro-thermal actuation with an output strain of 2000% and an input voltage of 0.2 V/cm. Unlike passive VGs, designed for specific flow conditions, this technology can adjust to changes in flow conditions by overcoming the limitations of existing active flow control devices in terms of portability and power requirements. Our technology can deploy different VGs configurations on demand, and match a desired target configuration, optimized for a specific flow condition. Experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel using a NASA Langley Research Center LS (1)-0417 GA(W)-1 airfoil. Stall delays and lift increase have been demonstrated for different flow conditions, with Reynolds numbers between 100,000 and 140,000. These findings are promising for enhancing efficiency in small unmanned aerial vehicles operating at low Reynolds numbers.
Related Concept Videos
Centrifugal Force
Work and Energy for Variable Forces
Mechanism of Ciliary Motion
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
Mechanical Systems

